Schneider, a partner at the Perkins Coie law firm, is being recognized for "passionate citizenship for his leadership, dedication and groundbreaking work defending Salim Hamdan," Osama Bin Laden's driver, according to a Wales Foundation announcement. "Schneider's pro bono representation of Hamdan, the first detainee to receive a trial, has laid the groundwork for others to challenge the legality of their indefinite imprisonment. Schneider's landmark work exemplifies our Constitution's guarantee of due process and fundamental fairness, even for society's most unpopular individuals."

Schneider told the Post-Intelligencer earlier this year that the question before the court was: "Can the President of the United States apprehend people, toss them in jail and throw away the key without ever charging them or giving them a trial?"

"Even a king can't do that," said Schneider said. "People have rights."

The Thomas C. Wales Foundation is named after a federal prosecutor who was murdered by an unknown assailant in 2001. The award is given to Puget Sound residents who embody Wales' own qualities by "inspiring positive activism through passionate citizenship."